Being kind or thoughtful was never a prerequisite to be an anime hero. In fact, many protagonists are known for their cold, analytical nature and their any-means-necessary attitude. Some of the most famous anime heroes dip into the realm of anti-heroes. These characters often struggle to fit in, relate to others, or make friends.
This is in direct opposition to other anime protagonists who are propelled by their desires to protect their loved ones and gain strength from the support of their comrades. These characters don't have the same motivations as their more hopeful counterparts; they are heroes with hearts of stone.
10 Naruto's Sasuke Uchiha Is Only Concerned With Revenge
Sasuke Uchiha is one of the most famous heroes with a cold nature who makes a better villain than hero. Despite Naruto and Sakura's constant attempts to give him friendship and help him grow, he still turns his back on them. He even tries to kill them on multiple occasions.
Sasuke is too consumed by his quest for revenge. Even when he realizes that Itachi was not the villain he thought, Sasuke turns his anger towards Konoha. While this may have been deserved as Konoha had committed some serious crimes against humanity, Sasuke is still playing the role of the antihero.
9 Light Yagami From Death Note Claims To Kill For The Greater Good
Light Yagami begins Death Note as an antihero, though by the end of the series, he becomes more of a villain. However, for the majority of the series, he is a cold-hearted vigilante with a god complex. After discovering the Death Note, he takes it upon himself to begin killing criminals to purge the world of evil.
Unfortunately, the power goes to his head, and even if it had not, it was never his place to make those decisions. His disregard for human life makes him the quintessential anime antihero with a heart of stone.
8 Hyakkimaru Opposes Demons, But Only To Get Revenge For His Father's Deal In Dororo
Hyakkimaru is well within his rights to exact revenge upon his father for trading his body parts for power, just as he is within his rights to slay those demons to regain what he lost in the deal. However, it becomes a running concern throughout the series that Hyakkimaru teeters on the edge of becoming a negative spirit himself.
This is because he, like Naruto's Sasuke Uchiha, is so fixated on revenge that he does not notice when he is also causing harm. Luckily, Hyakkimaru has Dororo to keep him grounded and make sure he stays on the right path.
7 Jotaro Kujo Is Rude And Has No Patience In Stardust Crusaders
Jotaro Kujo is less of an antihero and more just rude. He defeated Dio, saved the world, and later looks out for Josuke in the following series, Diamond is Unbreakable. However, Jotaro's cold treatment of strangers, many of whom are women, throughout the series proves his lack of tact and patience. He is frequently shown giving nasty looks and saying unacceptable things to the women he meets, and he is disgusted by their fawning over him.
6 My Hero Academia's Endeavor Is An Abusive Father
Endeavor is the number 2 hero, shooting up to number 1 when All Might has to finally throw in the towel, in My Hero Academia, but his attitude towards those around him is less than heroic. He's mainly guilty of abusing his family.
His expectations for his youngest son, Shoto Todoroki, are unrealistic. This puts a lot of pressure on his son with whom he already has a rough relationship. Even though he started a journey of atonement, he cannot change the crimes of his past.
5 Spike Spiegle Is Always Reluctant To Help In Cowboy Bebop
Spike is a bounty hunter and ex-member of the organized crime entity, The Red Dragon Crime Syndicate. Though he left his Syndicate days behind, he doesn't necessarily bloom into a compassionate hero. Not only does he hesitate to help when a reward is not involved, but he also claims to hate his comrades, Edward, Faye, Ein. However, this starts to change after he spends enough time with them. While Spike's character grows and changes throughout Cowboy Bebop, he is never a particularly warm-hearted person.
4 Itachi Does What He Has To For The Village In Naruto
Itachi Uchiha had to be cold-hearted. It was the only way he was able to complete the missions given to him by the underground powers running through the Hidden Leaf Village. Danzo and the Third Hokage tasked him with killing his entire clan, and, following this massacre, he was made to join the Akatsuki.
When his brother, Sasuke, finally finds out Itachi never wanted to do these things and that Konoha made him, Sasuke's world is shattered. Through all the horrific things Itachi had to do, his icy heart was melted by his love for Sasuke.
3 Guts Brings A New Meaning To Doing Whatever It Takes In Berserk
Guts is well known for his acts of extreme violence and his silent nature. His nickname is the "Hundred Man Slayer." His heart was made hard after being stabbed in the back on multiple occasions, most notably by his former friend, Griffith. His quest for revenge is all he can see at times.
After losing almost everyone he cares about, he was unable to continue having a warm heart and opening up to people. Still, fans don't blame him for his hatred of Griffith and his quest for vengeance.
2 Ghost Hunt's Naru Is Insensitive To His Friends' Feelings
Kazuya Shibuya is the leader of the ghost hunting brigade, the Shibuya Psychic Research, and the employer of the series' main character, Mai Taniyama. He is characterized by arrogance and detachedness, but these very traits are what make him such an effective researcher.
Even so, this attitude causes friction in many of his relationships, especially with Mai and others who help him research. However, he is not wholly cold-hearted, as his icy exterior is juxtaposed with his sympathy for Mai, who is an orphan.
1 Hellsing's Alucard Is The Definition Of An Antihero
Hellsing's Alucard is a protagonist, but calling him an antihero is a bit of an understatement. Though he is a vampire himself, he helps the Hellsing Organization hunt down other vampires. Despite his sadism and his raw power, he does seem to have complex feelings that make him an interesting character for audiences. He has a deep fear of death and retribution for his actions, and this drives him to engage in some terrifying acts of violence.